10 November 2004 -- Intense fighting is taking place for the third consecutive day in Al-Fallujah as U.S. forces and allied Iraqi troops continue their offensive to wrest control of the Sunni Muslim city from insurgents.

Correspondents in the city say the two sides were exchanging fire in the streets today, while U.S. Marines attacked targets with artillery and U.S. warplanes carried out air strikes.

Major Francis Piccoli of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force said Army and Marine units now control 70 percent of the city.

The Associated Press cited the U.S. military as saying that at least 71 insurgents have been killed in fighting in the past day.

The U.S. military said at least 10 Americans and two Iraqi soldiers have died since the offensive began on 8 November.

Details of civilian casualties since the ground assault began are not known.